Carom
SANTIAGO - The Chileans are out of the tournament, Javier Teran will not defend his title, Luis Aveiga, Robinson Moralez, Carloman Ortiz and Alejandro Caravajal are out of the game and four Colombians will play the semi finals of the Panamerican championship in Santiago (Chile). Heriberto Ariztazabal (nickname Casquillo) plays against Henry Diaz, Julian Torres against Carlos Campino.
The final day will be full of Colombian fight with passion. Julian Torres from Bogota, former leader of the ranking in his country, is the youngest of the finalists with 28 years. Heriberto Ariztazabal, small and black-haired, therefrom his nickname Casquillo (cuetip) is one of the most colorful players in the Colombian circuit.
The Panamerican title race lost on its way to the final round many players who were regarded as favourites for the title. Robinson Morales was outplayed by Carlos Campino (3-0, 1.406/1.194), Luis Aveiga by Henry Diaz (3-2, 1.311 for Aveiga, 1.289 for Diaz), Javier Teran lost one round before against Pedro Gonzalez and in the quarterfinals Merlin Romero (against Diaz), Pedro Gonzalez (against Torres), Andres Naranjo (against Campino) and Carloman Ortiz (against Ariztazabal) gave up there illusions.
The Colombians dominate the final round even more than expected. They were with seven in the quarterfinals, only Merlin Romero from Venezuela was a stranger in the field.
Who of the four remaining Colombians will put himself in title picture and is going to be the successor to Javier Teran? Henry Diaz made a strong impression so far, especially in his last match against Merlin Romero. Carlos Campino proved the reputation of a character player against Andres Naranjo winning the fifth set by a hair.
Julian Torres also needed had a five setter to defeat Pedro Gonzalez and Heriberto Ariztazabal is a feared opponent, a player who is technically and tactically good enough to grab the title.